8D Kingdom of Bhutan trip via Kathmandu

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DAY 1. ARRIVE IN – KATHMANDU (Dinner) Upon arrival, you will be met our staff and you will be transferred to Hotel. After short rest, we will visit the Swayambhunath Temple, said to be 2500 years Stupa on a hillock, which offers a breath-taking view of Kathmandu City and the Sunset view. This Stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument Listed in 1979.Next; we will visit historic Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka) if you are lucky, you will be able to have a glance of the famous living Goddess of Nepal name Kumari, which is part of our Bhutan trip. Dinner will be served near hotel restaurant. After dinner you will be able to stroll along the busy street of Kathmandu city center. Overnight Kathmandu.

DAY 2. KATHMANDU – PARO BY AIR (BLD)
After breakfast, drive to airport and fly to Paro southern part of Bhutan. When you are about to land at Paro you will be introduced to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, views of Chomolhari (Mountain Goddess), and other magnificent Himalayan snow peaks, before you see the beautiful Paro Valley as you land. Check-in to the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum (Watch Tower). This Museum has a very interesting assortment Costumes, treasures and world-renowned stamps and will bring alive history of Bhutan since the 6th century. Visit Paro Dzong (Fort) Headquarter of Paro District. Altitude: 2250 meters. Overnight at Paro.

DAY 3. Hike to Tiger Nest & drive to THIMPHU (4hr walk on your choice) (BLD)
After breakfast, built on the seemingly impossible cliff at a height of 400 meters above the lush valley floor of Paro is one of the most sacred places in Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew here on a flaming Tigress for the second visit to Bhutan and meditated here in the 8th century. Here he propagated Vajrayana-Mahayana Buddhism (Bigger Wheel) that was prophesied by the Buddha at the time of attaining Nirvana. In April 1998, a fire destroyed the main structure of the buildings and the religious contents. A complete restoration was done and resulted in a carbon copy of the original. This place beholds the history of The Hidden Land. The return walking time is approximately 5 hours (if you have a permit to the site). Otherwise around 3-4 hours is enough to make round trip to the viewpoint. In the evening drive to Thimphu, 2 hours through winding roads following the Pa-Chu (Paro River) downstream to its confluence with the Wang-Chu (Thimpu River). There are good views of the forests, Rocky Mountains & scattered village on our route. As we enter the Thimphu valley we will pass through Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyei(the man who unified Bhutan). Now Semtokha house the language and cultural school where scholars of all ages study Dzongkha (National Language) Thimphu altitude 2350m. Overnight at Thimpu.

DAY 4. THIMPHU – PUNAKHA Sightseeing (BLD)
After early breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass, where you can see 108 Bhutanese Stupas. If the weather is clear you can see all Himalayas Ranges with all snow covered. Further drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is situated between the two rivers and it is one of the biggest rivers in Bhutan. We have to walk through the suspension bridge to reach the Dzong. The Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant”. There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. In the evening short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in 15th century. (This monk is popularly known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also known as “The Temple of Fertility”. After Dinner transfer back to Hotel at Punakha for your overnight stay.

DAY 5. PUNAKHA – WHANGDUEPHODRANG – PARO (BLD)
After breakfast, drive to Wangdue and visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. After lunch, continue your drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight in Hotel at Paro.

DAY 6: PARO – KATHMANDU(BY AIR) (BLD) An early morning breakfast, drive to Paro airport for your flight to Kathmandu Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check in to the hotel. After short rest, we will proceed to visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupa in the world and also the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. PM: free and leisure for your final shopping. and overnight stay in Katmandu.

DAY 7: KATHMANDU-NAGARKOT (BLD) After breakfast, drive to Hill station Nagarkot, 2300m above seal-level, this scenic spot, with a spectacular view of the sunset and Mount Everest can be seen on a clear day. In the evening, watch the sunset of the Himalayan at Nagarkot, Dinner and overnight stay in Nagarkot

DAY 08:NAGARKOT- KATHMANDU –FLY HOME (B)
Enjoy sunrise view from resort room balcony. All rooms are facing to Sunrise and Mountain views. Leisurely breakfast at resort, 1hour drive to Kathmandu airport for your flight back home.